Shenendehowa approves teachers’ contract

Teachers at Shenendehowa schools will contribute more to their health insurance costs and receive slight raises under a three-year employment contract negotiated with the district.

The Board of Education approved the contract for July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2014 on Tuesday. Under the agreement, the Shenendehowa Teachers Association would receive standard step increases and annual pay raises between .25 percent and one percent, depending on their levels of experience. The salary schedule will increase by a net of zero percent during the first year of the contract, .41 percent in the second year and .51 percent in the third year, according to the district.

There are about 800 members in the STA. Under their last work contract, they earned annual salaries between $45,517 and $92,117, depending on what step they were on.

Under the new contract, the amount the teachers contribute toward their health insurance plans increased by one percent to 12 percent in September, and will rise to 13 percent in July 2013, according to the district. The employees also agreed to pay more in co-pays for office visits and medical prescriptions. The changes are expected to generate about $800,000 in savings, according to the district.

The school district and union also agreed on terms to satisfy the state’s new Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) legislation, which requires annual performance evaluations of teachers and principals.

APPR provides a uniform framework for the evaluations, while allowing districts to customize some areas of review. STA members ratified the contract recently.

“This was a long and difficult negotiation process for both parties,” STA President Megan DeLaRosa said. “We were able to remain professional and focus on long-term goals in reaching this agreement. As we face the upcoming school years, we have important issues to focus on as we consider APPR and student achievement.”

Superintendent L. Oliver Robinson called the contract a fiscally conservative agreement. “We appreciate the efforts made by all parties to reach an amicable solution in these tough economic times.”